Perimenopause marks the transition period leading up to menopause, which usually lasts 4-8 years. It’s when a woman’s reproductive hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone, start to naturally decline and fluctuate, signaling the end of fertility. This hormonal rollercoaster can spark a variety of unpleasant symptoms. Fortunately, with the right information and proper testing, you can understand what’s happening in your body and find solutions to feel your best through perimenopause.
What Exactly is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause refers to the time when your ovaries gradually produce less oestrogen and progesterone while menstruation starts to become irregular. It typically begins for women in their late 40s, but can start as early as your 30s or 40s. During this transition, hormone levels rise and fall unevenly, often causing disruptive symptoms. It ends when you have gone 12 months without a period, marking the start of menopause.
What Causes Perimenopausal Symptoms?
The hormonal fluctuations are mainly what trigger symptoms like hot flashes, sleep disruption, mood changes, and irregular periods during the perimenopausal transition. Estrogen and progesterone affect many aspects of a woman’s health including reproductive health, bone density, heart function, breast tissue, brain activity, and more. Declining and swinging hormone levels disrupt your normal functioning, while your body tries to adjust.
How Long Does Perimenopause Usually Last?
On average, perimenopause lasts about 4 years but can be shorter or longer. Some women start noticing changes in their late 30s or early 40s, while others don’t experience symptoms until their late 40s. The duration varies substantially among women. Genetics, lifestyle, and health conditions impact the hormone changes. Being aware of the signs can help you identify perimenopause sooner.
Is It Normal to Have Hot Flashes and Night Sweats This Early?
Yes, hot flashes and night sweats are often some of the earliest signs of perimenopause. The drops in estrogen levels cause thermoregulatory dysfunction. Hot flashes can start many years, even a decade, before your last period arrives. Having a hot flash doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve entered menopause if you are still having periods.
Why Does My Period Become Irregular During Perimenopause?
Hormonal fluctuations disrupt your regular menstrual cycles. You might have heavy bleeding one month and then a very light period or none at all the next month. Cycles may be longer or shorter. As ovulation becomes less regular, your periods follow suit. Missed or irregular periods are extremely common during the perimenopausal transition.
How Can I Deal with Mood Swings and Irritability?
Hormone changes can definitely impact your moods and emotional state. Taking care of overall health can help – get regular exercise, prioritize sleep, manage stress through yoga or meditation. We also have non-hormonal supplements and bioidentical hormones that can stabilize moods. Lifestyle approaches combined with the right supplements or prescription options can help minimize mood irritability.
What About Vaginal Dryness, Discomfort, and Pain?
Declining oestrogen often leads to vaginal atrophy – thinning of the vaginal walls and dryness. This can cause irritation, burning, painful sex, and increased infection risk. The good news is there are excellent over-the-counter vaginal moisturizers and lubricants that can provide relief relatively quickly. I recommend emu oil.
Will I Still Be Able to Get Pregnant During Perimenopause?
It is still possible to get pregnant during perimenopause but much less likely than before. If you don’t want to become pregnant, protection is still recommended. The risks of pregnancy complications also increase due to hormone fluctuations and aging eggs. Know that while fertility declines significantly, getting pregnant until menopause is still a possibility.
Why Does Perimenopause Often Lead to Weight Gain?
Hormone changes can decrease muscle mass while slowing metabolism and insulin sensitivity – making weight management much harder. Diet and exercise continue to be key for maintaining a healthy weight. However, with the metabolic impact of perimenopause, you may need to adjust your nutrition and fitness approach during this transition.
What Tests Can Provide Answers?
Getting the right lab testing can provide crucial insights into what’s happening in your body during perimenopause:
- Sex hormone levels Oestrogen, Testosterone
- Complete Thyroid panel: TSH, Free T4, Free T3, reverse T3, Thyroid antibodies
- Metabolic tests like fasting glucose, HbA1C, fasting insulin, Lipid markers such as cholesterol and triglyceride
- Cortisol levels
- Nutrient testing
Understanding your hormone status, thyroid health, blood sugar regulation, stress levels, and nutritional status allows personalized recommendations to ease this transition. Testing gives you answers to optimize health and relief during perimenopause.
The Takeaway
Navigating perimenopause presents new challenges as your body and hormones change. Being prepared with information, tracking your symptoms, and getting the right lab testing and treatment can help smooth the transition. Understand that what you’re experiencing is normal. Find a practitioner experienced in helping women balance hormones and optimize health during this phase of life. Thriving through perimenopause starts with getting informed and proactive.
